6 Rothesay Ave, Brighton, has hosted some of Melbourne’s best and brightest as the decades-long home of one of the city’s top PR professionals.
It’s hosted celebs from Anthony LaPaglia to Harry Kewell and Lance “Buddy” Franklin, but the Brighton home of social scene power couple Judy and Frank Romano is ready for a new guest list.
Ms Romano, with a reputation as Melbourne’s public relations queen and Mr Romano, a businessman and sales strategist, have owned the 6 Rothesay Ave showstopper since 1998.
In that time it’s become known for its parties on the evening of Christmas Night.
RELATED: Former JB Hi Fi boss Richard Bouris sells $25m Brighton home
Insane $9.9m Vic estate hosts Aus’ best horses
Buddy and Jesinta Franklin’s new rural $4.6m estate revealed
The events regularly attracted AFL stars including former local Buddy Franklin, as well as its share of corporate big wigs.
Ms Romano, a matriarch of the Melbourne Cup’s famous Bird Cage, was mum on the home’s full guest list, but noted over the years it had been interesting to see which famous faces brought along a first-class bottle of plonk — and who opted for an economy drop.
She did note Buddy Franklin was always generous with what he brought, while as a general rule the bigger a guest’s bank balance, the smaller the price tag on their bottle.
One of the more notable visits was in 2009, when then AFL Premiership coach Mark “Bomber” Thompson dropped by with the Cup for a visit and some cheeky photos.
Judy and Frank Romano and the Victorian Racing Club’s Chairman’s Dinner.
The magnificent home is in a private cul-de-sac and surrounded by friendly neighbours.
Footballing great Buddy Franklin was a regular at the home when he lived nearby.
“It’s been a great place to entertain at,” Ms Romano said.
“We’ve had parties where people like Russell Morris performed, and we have had the paparazzi out the front.”
The four-bedroom, two-bathroom house has the pool and spa you might expect a short walk from the water in Brighton.
There’s also a sprawling open-plan living place on the ground floor, not to mention a sauna next door to the home office.
Most of the bedrooms are upstairs, including the main where double doors open to a balcony with north-facing views.
Despite often hosting substantive crowds, only one of the major events held at the home in the past 29 years required supplementary cooking space to be brought in for the kitchen that makes a statement — and backs it up with scope to cater to a crowd.
The home’s outdoor entertainment spaces have handled the heavy lifting for its big guest lists over the years, and it’s easy to see why.
A who’s who of Melbourne’s social scene have been through the home over the years, but now it’s time for a new guest list.
Actor Anthony La Paglia was also among those who have dropped by the house.
Being a cul-de-sac, when the home wasn’t filled with party guests, the street out the front was often full of local kids on bikes and scooters — often with one of the local parents parking a car across the road halfway down to ensure they had a safe place to play.
“I’m going to miss the whole package,” Mr Romano said.
“And I’ll of course miss making memories with all the countless occasions that have given us joy and laughter and even drama.”
For the pair, the Brighton address will always be their Castle — having been slightly obsessed with the film when they purchased the home, and instantly picking up on “the vibe” it gave off.
And filming could be in the future for the next owners, with the Romanos making the residence available for a few commercials over the years — and even turning down offers for film and TV show appearances.
The pair are planning to downsize, with Ms Romano noting she would love to make their next residence a mid-century one.
The home’s gardens provide a variety of ways to enjoy outdoor entertaining in fine weather.
The home’s living spaces come with a verdant outlook for more relaxed moments.
But, if the new owners decide to continue the family’s open-door policy for Christmas night and invite them back — the Romanos are promising they won’t be coming back with a cheap bottle.
They’re thinking they’ll most likely arrive with a magnum of Piper Heidsieck’s Rare champagne.
Kay & Burton’s Matthew Pillios is handling the $4.95m-$5.35m listing and said beyond being a great home for entertaining, it was also peerlessly located.
“It is one of the best streets and locations, it’s a small cul-de-sac that runs just opposite the Golden Mile,” Mr Pillios said.
“So the value for money in that location, with no other cars that ever drive down the street, is just extraordinary.”
Expressions of interest are being sought by 4pm April 21.
Sign up to the Herald Sun Weekly Real Estate Update. Click here to get the latest Victorian property market news delivered direct to your inbox.
MORE: Bold plans for derelict Melbourne mansion revealed
English (US) · 